A/N: well, apparently there is no way I can manage to get more than a chapter done each month. Not until September, at least - busy times can't last forever, but they apparently can get close enough XD

Once again, sorry for the wait!


"You know, Kimmie, this is getting kinda boring," Shego muttered, blocking Kim's high kick and trying to hit her. She usually liked fighting the redhead, really, but after doing so for hours each single day she had to admit the whole thing lost some of its fun. It was becoming a routine, she realized, and that was taking away most of the thrill that made her look forward to each new fight.

"Odd, I thought you always had fun with challenges," Kim remarked, ducking under Shego's blow and trying to trip her "are you sure you're not just getting too old to fight much?" she said snidely. Still, she had to admit her opponent had a point – after so much fighting more for training than to actual fight, the whole thing was getting a little dull. A little.

Shego snorted. "You know what I mean, Princess," she said dryly as she shot some plasma at her.

"Oh, I see," Kim said with a grin – she had another possibility to mock her opponent, and she wasn't going to waste it "maybe you'd rather drop by the lab to pay a visit to Drakken?"

A grimace crossed Shego's features just foe a moment, but she knew better than letting Kim's provocations get the better of her. "It would be a nice change, considering how boring you are lately," she retorted with a shrug, before leaning again the wall – after two full hours, a break wouldn't be so bad.

"You're not being much of a challenge either," Kim muttered, but she didn't seem to mind a break either. She stayed silent for a few moments, "do you think that explosion came from the lab?"

"Sure it did. I wonder what in the world are they doing over there."

"Hopefully something useful," Kim said just a little bitterly – the thought she simply could do nothing until the actual invasion happened was still infuriatingly frustrating "unless they blew up the whole lab. I wonder if they'll manage to destroy it by the time Lowardians attack."

"It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," Shego stated "I'm betting my next two pay checks that either Dr. D or Dementor will cause some more trouble."

"Yeah, I bet," Kim frowned a little "speaking of pay checks, what are you doing with Drakken now anyway? I thought he had kinda given up on taking over the world."

Shego winced slightly, but thankfully Kim didn't notice. Actually, she had been wondering the same thing for a few weeks now. Drakken was now a hero, the world had acknowledged his genius, he was nothing short from a celebrity in the scientific community, and he no longer seemed to be into trying to take over the world anymore – so why would he still need a sidekick? He didn't need one, that was it.

Lately she had been more like a secretary than a sidekick to him, and it certainly wasn't what she had wanted to do when she had gotten into evil. She had been tempted to ask Drakken about his intentions regarding her position, but she had never done so because, as much as she hated to admit it, she wasn't sure she wanted to really know his answer. Well, not that she was worried – why should she? It wouldn't take her much to find another employee – but it was still a question whose answer she wasn't sure she wanted to know so soon.

"It's kind of a hiatus, that's all," Shego finally said with a shrug "we'll see what happens once we get rid of the Lowardians – but as for now, he still needs my help," she emphasized the last words, clearly not wanting anyone to question her statement. Because of course Drakken would need her and her skills, no matter what – Dr.D, going on by himself and without her making sure he didn't mess up too badly? Yeah, right.

"Ooookay, I get it, don't bite," Kim said, holding up her hands, but she still had a knowing smirk on her face that Shego felt a sudden urge to burn away "I was just asking."

"Don't be asking," Shego nearly growled as she turned to leave the training room.

Kim raised an eyebrow as her opponent left. "Wow, I hit a nerve," she said to no one in particular, but her satisfaction was rather short-lived: okay, she got the upper hand, but what now? Dull as it was starting to get, training to be ready fro the invasion was pretty much the only thing she could do right now to keep herself busy. She faintly wondered what her family and friends could be doing in that same moment, but she immediately shook her head as if to chase away the thought – they were fine, she knew they were. There was no need to worry at all…still, the fact she hadn't even gotten to speak with her family before she was brought to the GJ headquarters and they were sent to a protected location bothered her. At least Ron had gotten to meet his parents when she went to take Hana, she thought with a slight pang of jealousy.

Speaking of Ron, maybe she should take a break and see how he was doing with his battlesuit, she thought – Wade seemed to be enthusiast, and she was curious to see how much progress he was doing. Besides, she hadn't be able to spend much time with him lately, and she missed his company. Once they got rid of Lowardians – she totally refused to even think they could lose that war – they were so going to take a couple of weeks of vacation before college started to make up for their ruined summer, she decided.

She was pretty sure Ron would have loved the idea, but maybe it was better to not tell him anything – he would most likely start blabbering about how great it was going to be staying on a beach the whole day while drinking from a coconut and lose focus on the invasion, Kim mused. Sometimes she almost envied how laid back Ron could be in any situation – he surely wasn't feeling nearly as restless as she was now, Kim mused.

Then again, he did seem slightly worried for some reason lately. Well, they had an invasion coming after all, so not even Ron would probably manage to be totally relaxed anyway. Besides, having to share the same roof – could she even call it 'roof' considering that the lair was pretty much a fake mountain? – with his arch foe probably didn't help. Especially since said arch-foe was completely crazy and most likely bore an impressive power. Kim grimaced uncomfortably, as she always did when she thought about Monkey Fist.

She just hoped releasing him hadn't been a mistake.

Monkey Fist let out a roar of rage as he threw the book against the wall, pages scattering over the metal floor, but he barely noticed. "There must be a way," he muttered for the millionth time "there must be a way! I refuse to give up on Mystical Monkey Power, do you hear me? I refuse to!" Monkey Fist yelled at the empty room, not knowing if Yono – the previous Yono – could hear him, and not really caring. That cursed monkey had to be lying!

He had no reason to.

It couldn't be true – he refused to believe it could be true! He wouldn't accept having to lose on the only thing he had ever really wanted. He had given up on everything he had to possess Mystical Monkey Power – everything, because he knew that power was meant to be his! It was his destiny, and he would never give up on it. Never!

Monkey Fist gritted his teeth. "He was wrong!" he seethed, his eyes bloodshot with fury "he was wrong!"

But he knew he was denying the obvious. Given than the previous Yono hadn't been lying – and, as much as he loathed to admit it, he couldn't think of any reason why he should – it was rather hard to really believe he was wrong about that. He had been the bearer of that same power for centuries after all: if there was a creature in the universe that knew everything about the Power of Yono, it was him.

"There could be another way to unleash the power. Something he's not aware of," Monkey Fist said aloud, but he couldn't bring himself to believe it – if indeed there was another way to be able to unleash the power, it was hardly plausible that the previous Yono wouldn't know it. If he said Mystical Monkey Power and the Power of Yono couldn't co-hesist in the same person, he was probably telling the truth.

You cannot be both the Ultimate Monkey Master and the Yono. You have to choose.

"I will never give up on Mystical Monkey Power," Monkey Fist snarled to the empty room "never."

This means you'd have to give up on the Power of Yono. You cannot use it as long as you have Mystical Monkey power – and have you ever thought the powers could stop just blocking each other and start conflicting?

Monkey Fist frowned. No, he hadn't thought about until that moment…and now the thought sent a chill down his spine. If the two powers began conflicting, Mystical Monkey Power could as well be erased from him: he only possessed a portion of that power, while the Power of Yono was in him in its fullness. And even taking into account that the portion of Mystical Monkey Power in him could match the Power of Yono…

Why, no need of ancient scrolls: it's basic physics. Two forces that are equal and opposite…

"…nullify each other," Monkey Fist muttered through clenched teeth. It was true – unless he did something, the perspectives were less than bright: if the powers kept blocking each other, he wouldn't be able to unleash any of them. If they began conflicting, he would either lose Mystical Monkey Power for good or end up without any power at all – and either way he highly doubted it would be a pleasant experience should the powers within him actually start conflicting.

Actually, there was a good possibility their opposition would nullify him as well – they were both devastating powers after all. He couldn't help but swallow at the thought – it was one more reason to make a decision, and quickly. He had to choose between the two powers, one way or another. But which one…?

"Mystical Monkey Power is what matters the most!" Monkey Fist growled, restlessly pacing back and forth "I'm meant to be the Monkey Master, and I won't let anyone take it from me! That title belongs to me!"

Then why haven't you ever managed to accomplish anything with Mystical Monkey Power?

Monkey Fist froze, his eyes widening slightly, but he immediately got a grip on himself. "I could use the Lotus Blade," he said aloud "I could control it."

So could Stoppable.

"Stoppable is nothing but an useless buffoon! He only got the power by accident – no, he stole it from me! He's never managed to accomplish anything with it – it doesn't belong to him!"

Still, you never managed to do much more than Stoppable did with it, did you?

Monkey Fist growled, but before he could think of anything great he had achieved with Mystical Monkey Power that Stoppable hadn't there was a fain buzzing – the door of the training room opening. He got a grip on himself and turned to see Senior stepping inside…without the Han, thankfully. He didn't exactly fancy having to face that blasted infant until he knew what to do with her.

With it. It's a weapon. Don't think of her as a person like those fools do.

Yes, it was a weapon – just like he was now, he mused, but he immediately chased the thought away and turned his attention back to the old man.

"I hope I didn't interrupt anything important – if so, I apologize," Senior said "I simply wished to let you know supper is ready. Do you wish to have your meal served directly in your room?" he asked. Unsurprisingly enough, for now only Team Possible, Dr. Director and occasionally DNAmy would sit around a table to eat – everyone else would rather than having their meals served in their own rooms, or directly in the lab…or they would simply raid the pantry whe hungry in some cases – mostly Motor Ed and Ron Stoppable. As for himself, Senior firmly believed it was a good host's duty to attend dinners with his guests.

Monkey Fist was about to say he would eat in his room – the less he had to see DNAmy and Stoppable, the better – then he remembered he was suppose to start training his body to stay without nourishment now that he was virtually immortal. "Nevermind – I no longer require nourishment. One of the advantages of being a living mystical--" Monkey Fist suddenly trailed off, his words dying in his throat as he realized one thing he had neglected: while the Power of Yono wouldn't make him the Monkey Master and could cause him to be turned into stone if defeated, it granted him one thing Mystical Monkey Power couldn't give him.

It could give him something man had been longing for since the most ancient times – immortality.

The mere thought of all the things he could do, of all the greatness he could achieve with all eternity at his disposal caused his head to spin for a second. He would be immortal! More than just a man or a monkey, he would be the closest thing to a god there could ever be…!

"Lord Fiske? Are you feeling alright?" Senior inquired with a slightly concerned frown.

"I…" Monkey Fist forced himself to regain control – he couldn't let anyone know what he was planning to do. Not as long as they had the Han. "My apologies, I simply feel tired. I suppose a hot meal is required after all – might I ask to have it delivered in my room? I'm almost done here in any case."

The old man nodded. "I see," he said, giving a curious glance at the shattered book Monkey Fist had thrown against the wall in a fit of rage "may I inquire if there was any progress?"

The monkey man gave him an odd, bitter smile as he thought back to the sacrifice he would have to make if he wanted to use the Power of Yono…and to keep immortality. "Yes. More than I hoped for, I'm afraid."

"Excuse me?"

"Nevermind, it was nothing important," Monkey Fist lied. It was important indeed, the most important thing in the world…but Senior didn't need to know it. He wouldn't understand in any case: none of those fools would. "But yes, there was some progress."

Senior smiled. "That sounds most promising," he said somewhat encouragingly, and Monkey Fist briefly wondered if the old man had purposely decided to behave as if he was everyone's grandfather "I suppose I'll see you think evening – we're going to have a reunion to discuss our progress, and to receive an update on the situation with the Lowardian spaceships."

Monkey Fist grimaced inwardly. He didn't really want to have to meet anyone there – especially not DNAmy, not Stoppable and definitely not the Han…then again, it was probably in his own interest to play along for now. Just until he could crush them with…with whatever power he decided to keep, he thought uneasily. "I'll be there."

"Perfect – now, if you'll excuse me, I think I better hurry back. I'd rather not leave little Hana alone with Gemini more than it's strictly necessary."

"Did he try to obliterate her?" the monkey man asked somewhat hopefully.

Senior chuckled. "God, no – no one is that heartless," he said, not noticing how Monkey Fist had raised a sceptical eyebrow "but he seems to be trying to turn her to evil just in spite of his sister – isn't it saddening how two siblings simply cannot get along? Family should mean more than rivalry," he said with a sigh, but the monkey man didn't exactly share his interest on the matter.

"For his own good, then tell him I warmly suggest him to reconsider," Monkey Fist said dryly "or, if he really wants to try, to keep her in a soundproof room."

Despite the fact he was being absolutely serious and despite not being exactly in his best mood, Monkey Fist could help but find Senior's puzzled expression quite amusing.

"You know, I doubt a marshmallow would be enough to turn anyone to crime," Dr. Director said coldly, watching as her brother held some candy just above Hana Stoppable's reach "leave her alone."

Gemini scowled as he turned his attention from the giggling child and glared at her. "Don't you have anyone else to bother?"

"I should be asking the same to you," Dr. Director took a step forward, ignoring the way Pepe had begun snarling at her "leave the child alone, she has nothing to do with it."

"Why not? I thought it was just business," he retorted with a sneer.

"It is, and Hana has nothing to do with it," she said coldly "stop bothering her."

"Bothering? She seems to be having fun," Gemini pointed out with a smirk as Hana laughed again and reached for Pepe with a squeal – Dr. Director actually raised an eyebrow in mild surprise as she noticed that the chihuahua was actually letting her pet him without freaking out in any way before glaring at her brother.

"You know exactly what I mean. Besides, you heard what happened to Monkey Fist when he tried to bring her to his side – and believe me, I won't be getting through the trouble of getting you back if you get turned into a statue or something. Less trouble for me."

"My, I'm moved," Gemini said sarcastically "and out of curiosity, what would you tell mom if something like that happened?" he smirked "she would be devastated. And you don't want it, don't you?"

Dr. Director growled. "You're despicable."

"I know, thank you."

She gritted her teeth. "You know, I just contacted her since you didn't bother doing so. She's fine, and she asked about you. She said she's proud of you. And you know what?" she stared straight in his only eye "if she only knew the truth rather than your lies, she would only think of you as the disgrace you truly are."

It was a lie and definitely a low blow, she knew it – but right now all she wanted was erasing that infuriating smirk from his face. And indeed his smirk immediately vanished, and for a brief instant before he scowled in anger he almost seemed hurt, but she didn't feel as satisfied as she usually was when she managed to get the last word: she only felt oddly disgusted the low blow she had just delivered.

"Why don't you tell her the truth then?" he barked, slamming his mechanical and on the desk and startling Pepe and Hana "why doesn't mommy's little girl tell her who the black sheep is? You always wanted to be her favourite – go ahead!"

Dr. Director opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a single word Senior's voice came from behind her. "I hope you didn't start fighting in front of the child – you should know it would be highly inappropriate," the old man said, and Hana immediately turned to him, eagerly reaching out for him.

"Not at all – I was leaving," Gemini seethed, getting up from the desk and glaring daggers at his sister before gesturing for his dog to follow him "come, Pepe," he called, and the chihuahua promptly jumped in his arms.

She glared back at him as he left, then she turned back to Senior. "Any news from Monkey Fist?"

"Lord Fiske told me there has been some progress, although he wasn't very specific. He also said he will take part to this evening's reunion," he addend, taking Hana in his arms.

"Perfect," Dr. Director nodded, taking a mental note of making sure he and DNAmy would be at the opposite sides of the table. Same for Stoppable…and definitely so for Drakken and Dementor: those two simply couldn't stay in the same room without starting a fight, apparently.

Look who's talking.

Dr. Director shook her head as if to chase away some thought. "Would you mind staying here with the child another while?" she asked to Senior "it's my intention to let Team Possible contact their families before the force fields make it impossible, and I suppose Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable would want to see her as well."

Senior nodded. "I wouldn't mind at all – they must be terribly worried. Parents shouldn't stay separated from their children for so long," he said, a somewhat melancholic smile on his lips.

Amy hesitated just for a moment, her hand lingering on the keyboard – she only had to press one button for the DNA mixer to start working now that all the settings were ready, but still…

"Are you sure…?"

"I told ye I know what I'm doing, lass!" Killigan snapped, his golf club still raised, the mind control chip – good thing Dementor had decided to make them bigger than usual to spare time, he thought – on the ground just in front of him. "Do ye think I'm going to miss? That's not going to happen. Ever!" he added, sounding nearly outraged.

She shook her head. "Well, no, but…"

"Then press that button and let's get done with it – I've got better to do than standing here, ye know," he said impatiently, and his grip on the golf club tightened as she finally pressed the button and the DNA mixer got in function. Well, it was a tad late to have doubts now…but he really, really hoped the mind control chips wouldn't break once he hit them. He better be careful, he decided – it wasn't like he fancied having some kind of giant dino thing wandering in the--

A sudden grumbling sound suddenly snapped him from his thoughts – Killigan turned just in time to see a huge creature that looked everything like some dinosaur emerging from the DNA mixer, it's eyes fixed on him, fangs bared. Fine, cute and cuddly it wasn't – it looked like a perfect weapon, really. He had to admit that the lass had surprised him: she clearly knew what she was doing. Not bad, but still no match for him.

"Alright, lad, dodge this," Killigan muttered under his breath, swinging the golf club and hitting the mind-control chip. The small device hit the creature straight between its eyes, and the impact activated it. The chip immediately clung to the scaly skin with a faint beeping sound, and a small red light turned on just as the creature suddenly stopped moving and stayed motionless, its gaze unfocused as it waited for orders.

"Aye, that's more like it," Killigan couldn't hold back a proud smirk as Amy clapped her hands like a child in a candy shop and approached the creature. She reached up to stroke its muzzle, and it didn't even react: it just stared ahead with dazed eyes, waiting for orders. She ordered it to sit down, and the creature complied.

"Ooh, this is perfect!" she shrilled, turning to look at him with a wide smile "we can create all the nasty beasties we need without having to worry they coulf give us trouble – you had wonderful idea, Duffy!"

Killigan's puffed out his chest, his smirk widening. "Aye, I know. I told ye…wait, how did ye call me?" he protested, but she wasn't listening to him anymore.

"Do you think you could do that another few times?" she asked "the lab is big enough, so I could create some more to have the guys of GJ bringing them away before I get into creating more. We'll have an army of them in no time!"

"Och, sure," Killigan said with a shrug – despite what he had said earlier, it wasn't like he had that much stuff to do right now, so why not?

Amy seemed delighted. "You're the sweetest," she chirped, giving him a hug.

The golfer shifted uncomfortably, instinctively trying to break free from her grasp – it was a half-hearted attempt, however. "I'm not sweet!" he protested.

"And here you play grumpy again," she giggled, reaching to pinch his cheek. Killigan opened his mouth to protest, but before he could utter a single word she had already turned her attention back to the DNA mixer. "Are you ready, Duffy?" she asked, smiling brightly – it looked like creating homemade creature was the thing she enjoyed the most, he mused briefly.

"Aye," he replied, putting another mind-control chip on the ground and stepping back "just one thing, lass."

"What?"

"Stop calling me like that!"

She giggled. "You're as grumpy as a bear," she said, then she paused and frowned in thought "oh, that's it – how about 'pookie bear'?"

Killigan held back a sigh. "Duffy it is," he said, silently thanking whoever could hear him that Motor Ed wasn't there to see them. He would never hear the end of it if he did.

"For the last time, Shego isn't getting with you in a billion years!" Drakken repeated for the millionth time, glaring at his cousin – would it ever get through his thick head that there was simply no way Shego could be interested in him? It was clear to everyone with half a brain that she couldn't stand him, no matter how much Ed kept saying she was just in denial – if she were, he would know because…because…well, just because, Drakken thought angrily. "Besides, she's my sidekick," he added "she works for me."

Motor Ed clicked his tongue, shaking his head as if dealing with some dumb kid. "Drew, you ain't even a bad guy anymore – why should she stick around you? Seriously."

"Ja, he's one of ze heroes now," Dementor said mockingly before trying once again to reach for the can of sauerkraut Motor Ed was holding in his hand as he kept gesturing at his dumb cousin – couldn't that idiot just put it down? And did he have to be so annoyingly tall? "Hand over zat can at once!" he yelled, but Motor Ed didn't pay any attention to him.

"I am a bad guy! I am the most baddest--"

Dementor scoffed. "Most baddest?"

Drakken gritted his teeth, ignoring his rival's provocation. "…I am still a bad guy, and Shego is still working for me! She…likes her job," he finished weakly.

"Yeah, that's the point – she doesn't do her job and live dangerously anymore, seriously."

Drakken hesitated. Well, it was true that she hadn't exactly been doing her actual job lately – he wasn't even sure he would get back to evil at all, really, now that the world respected him. Then again, maybe Shego would have wanted to go on with villainy, and his cousin still was in it, and…Drakken grimaced, angrily shaking his head. "This doesn't mean she's getting with you."

"Dude, sure she is," Motor Ed said confidently, confidently waving his hand – the one still holding the can of sauerkraut, much to Dementor's annoyance "she just need to snap out of her denial, serios--"

"She isn't!" Drakken shouted as he jumped on his feet, causing Motor Ed to trail off and Dementor to blink, the sauerkraut forgotten "she doesn't even like you! She blasts you all the time!"

Motor Ed chuckled and winked knowingly. "Yeah, gotta love that green magic. I love chicks who play hard to get, seriously," he said, causing his cousin to grit his teeth.

"She isn't playing hard to get, she cannot stand you! She thinks you're annoying and…and…and she thinks your mullet is stupid," he said lamely, not really knowing what else he could say – his cousin was annoying, that was it: what else was it there to be said? "And anyway, she isn't getting with you in a billion years! She's still going to work for me, okay? She isn't going anywhere, and…uh…" he blinked as he realized neither Motor Ed and Dementor were looking at him anymore: actually, they were apparently staring at something behind him. "…there is someone behind me, right?"

Both of them nodded.

"Tell me it's not who I think. Tell me it's a Lowardian who's here to seize my head or something."

"Vell, it is green," Dementor said, apparently unsure if he should be amused by the whole thing or just pity his rival for once. He surely didn't want to be in his shoes – it would be awkward.

"Oh, snap," Drakken said weakly as he turned to the door to face a rather dumbfounded Shego.

"Uh…" she muttered, her still standing in the doorway "maybe I got here in the wrong moment?" she asked, feeling rather awkward for the first time since…since…dang, she couldn't even remember when it was last time she ever felt awkward. And why should she anyway? Dr. D was pointing out the obvious – she definitely wasn't getting with Motor Ed in a billion years. Then again, it made her feel kinda uncomfortable how…vehement he had been while saying it. What was there to get so mad about anyway? She could handle that idiot after all, so it wasn't like she needed him to speak up for her.

"Yeah. I mean, no! We were just…talking about…" Drakken turned to look at Motor Ed – who, on the other hand, was staring at him as if he was looking at him for the first time "…about sauerkraut," he finally said, looking at the can still in his cousin's hand.

"Ja, about zat…" Dementor said to no one in particular, finally reaching up to snatch the can from Motor Ed's numb fingers "finally!" he exclaimed triumphantly.

Shego ignored him and raised an eyebrow at Drakken's blatant lie. "You were screaming about sauerkraut?"

"Uh…yeah?"

Shego's eyebrow went even higher.

"I mean, that and some other stuff, but nothing important," Drakken mumbled, sounding much like a kid trying to make up an excuse for breaking a vase. "We're always yelling anyway, right? About all kinds of stuff. About all kinds of irrelevant stuff."

Shego nodded, but it was clear she didn't believe a word of what he said. "Yeah," she said flatly "so, uh…"

"Eh…"

There was a brief silence, only broken by Dementor chewing sauerkraut while observing the scene with an amused smirk. Motor Ed was still staring at his cousin as if he was a perfect stranger he had found in his living room. Drakken wiggled his hands. Shego cleared her throat. And then…

BLOOP.

"Aw, not again!" Drakken whined, frantically ripping away the bright pink petals that had just popped out of his neck – why was that still happening? He had learned to control it…well, kinda. It got more difficult to control when he was uneasy, and that was an uneasy moment.

"Vell, you make a pretty daisy," Dementor said with a grin through the mouthful of sauerkraut – now that was a scene he would never let his rival forget about.

"Shut up!" Drakken snapped, his face turning into a peculiar shade of purplish red.

"Yeah, you do," Shego mocked him, finally getting a grip on herself and reaching to tear a petal that Drakken hadn't torn yet. She waved it in front of his eyes. "You know, you'd look great on DNAmy's lawn. More than monkey boy's statue would," she added. Well, teasing him definitely felt more familiar and oddly reassuring at that point. Besides, it was fun.

He rolled his eyes. "Geez, thanks," he muttered, folding his arms with a scowl.

"Anytime," Shego said with a smirk before letting the petal fall on the floor and turning to leave "and check if the idiot is still in the land of the living," she added before the door closed behind her.

"Uh?" Both Drakken and Dementor turned Motor Ed, who was still staring blankly at his cousin. "Ed?" Drakken called out, waving a hand in front of his eyes.

Ed blinked a few times before looking at his cousin again, a huge grin spreading on his face and causing Drakken to squirm uncomfortably. "Seriously, dude, you should have totally told me!" he exclaimed.

Drakken blinked. "Told you what?"

"Don't play dumb, since when do you have a thing for Green?" he asked, still grinning as he poked his chest.

"Wha…?" he sputtered "I don't have a thing for Shego! She's just my--"

"I mean, seriously, I would have totally stepped back waaaay back if you told me! Seriously!"

"But I don't--"

"You know, it was about time! It took you a while to get into chicks, seriously. I was totally expecting you to come out from the closet at some point…!"

"You...what?"

"Come out from ze closet?" Dementor repeated with a slightly confused frown – it was clear that idiom wasn't familiar to him – thankfully, Drakken thought before turning his attention back to Motor Ed.

"Look, you got the wrong idea – there is nothing going on between me and Shego!"

"Yeah, right. Denial ain't just a river – now, lemme give you some advice, seriously…"

Dementor snickered as the discussion went on, leaning against the chair. It was even better than TV, he mused. Too bad there wasn't any popcorn, but no matter – the sauerkraut would do.

"Wow, Ron, you're really doing great," Kim said, sounding rather impressed – not that she didn't think Ron could control the battlesuit, really, but still she hadn't expected him to get that good in so little time. It was clear he had really been focusing for once, and the efforts were paying up.

Ron smiled a little sheepishly as he finally took a break, glancing at the destroyed robot that was disappearing under the floor. "Well, you haven't seen how I messed up earlier – I activated the jetpack instead of the shield. Straight against the wall."

"Ouch."

"Yeah, ouch," he said with a goofy grin, pointing at a bruise on his forehead – man, that wall was hard.

Kim shrugged. "Hey, you're still doing great."

Ron nodded. "Yeah – those aliens better watch out for the Ronster," he said, trying to sound enthusiast, but the fact he was learning how to use the battlesuit quickly and without even messing up too make him feel nearly as proud as he would have felt before finding out he could do so much more than that. He uneasily glanced away from Kim, wondering if she had any idea of how close to death she had been after being knocked out cold during their fight against Warhok. Probably not, he mused – and she didn't know he hadn't been able to help her. If it hadn't been for Drakken and his Flower Power…

Ron repressed a shudder at the thought, his expression hardening just for a moment. That was it – no matter what, he was going to ask Monkey Fist to teach him using those blasted monkey powers. He didn't care about anything Sensei had told him abut fulfilling his destiny and stuff – all he wanted was to be able to protect Kim should she ever need him again. I wasn't much to ask, was it?

Well, considering it was Monkey Fist the one he would have to ask to, maybe it was too much – but he still had Hana on his side, Ron thought. He probably wouldn't do anything rash if reminded he could be turned into stone again any moment. At least, Ron hoped he wouldn't. He kinda enjoyed being alive.

"Ron? Are you okay?"

"Uh?"

"You kinda zoned out for a moment."

"Er…I was wondering if there is a naco or something left in the pantry," Ron quickly lied "I'm getting hungry again. I'll be back in a minute, okay?"

"Uh…okay," Kim said, blinked as he quickly left the training room, a slight frown in her face "hey, Wade, is it just me or he's behaving oddly lately?"

The boy, who was drinking some soda, immediately chocked on his drink. Kim raised an eyebrow. "Wade?"

"I…uh…" Wade coughed again "I didn't notice anything. Really," he said, a little too quickly to be believable. From the control panel he was sitting onto, Rufus groaned and smacked his forehead.

"Wade."

The boy bit his lower lip. Alright, he had promised Ron he would keep the secret, but still…well, it was important. Besides, it was Kim – he could tell her, right? "Well, really--" he began, but he trailed off as the door of the training room buzzed open and a GJ agent stepped inside – a very familiar one.

"Kim Possible," agent Will Du greeted her "it's a pleasure to meet you again, despite the circumstances," he said, and it wasn't difficult to detect a certain amount of arrogance in his voice under the politeness. It looked like he still thought of her as an inferior amateur, Kim thought with an inward grimace. He probably thought the fact GJ had asked for her assistance outraging…and man, she could only picture what could he think about the villains that had been recruited as well!

"Will," she greeted him, sounding just a little colder than usual "it's been a while. I was starting to wonder if you quit GJ," she taunted with a small smirk.

"I never quit," Will said briefly "I was simply busy in another area – a mission you don't need to know about," he said smugly, and Kim rolled her eyes "anyway, Dr. Director requires you, Wade Load and…?"

"Ron Stoppable," Kim helped him. Wade, on the other hand, gave a silent sigh of relief – Will Du's timing couldn't be better, he thought. He didn't know how long Kim would stay distracted, but it was something.

"Oh, right – thank you. She requires you to join her in the control room."

"New about the Lowardians?" Kim asked almost eagerly.

"Not yet. We're contacting your families in the protected locations they've been sent to: Dr. Director said you might want to speak with them, given the circumstances of your…recruitment."

"Oh," Kim blinked, honestly surprised but not at all displeased by the news "we'll get going immediately – but we better go looking for Ron first. He got out a moment ago."

"We'll send someone to tell him – the sooner you finish the transmission, the sooner we can start working on creating force field around the protected areas. It won't be possible to communicate with them without deactivating the shields after that."

"Alright, we're coming," Kim said with a brief nod, eager to hear from her parents and brothers again "just make sure Ron gets to speak with his parents too – he said he was going to the pantry."

Will Du nodded and muttered something perfectly audible about having to work as a messenger for amateurs under his breath as he left the training room, heading for the pantry. But Ron wasn't at the pantry – he wasn't anywhere near the pantry, really. In that same moment, he was actually using all the courage he could muster to walk towards the area of the lair in which the training room Senior had put at Monkey Fist's disposal was.

"Report," Warhok said sharply, glancing at the screen.

"Everything is proceeding as expected, General Warhok. We're keeping up with the schedule perfectly, and the technical problems with one of the ships have been resolved already."

"What was the cause?"

"One of the new recruits accidentally hit the off switch."

"Ah," Warhok shrugged just a little sheepishly as Warmonga groaned beside him.

"That's why I insisted for you to remove it. It only caused us trouble: we'd control Earth if it wasn't for it."

"General Warhok?" the colonel's voice came from the screen again "what should I do with him?"

"Send that fool to work on the fourth deck – that will teach him to pay attention to what he does."

"Yes, sir – for Lowardia!"

"For Lowardia," Warhok replied as the communication was interrupted. "You shouldn't question me when out men can hear," he said sternly, glancing sideways at Warmonga "you shouldn't question me at all. I'm your superior, and I won't accept being questioned again. Consider it your last warning, Warmonga."

"I'll keep it in mind," Warmonga said flatly, faintly wondering if he did realize that had been the eleventh 'last warning' he gave her since the day of their departure. There was a brief silence.

"And, Warmonga?"

"General?"

"Remind me to eliminate that blasted switch when we get back."

Monkey Fist was still feeling restless as the door of the training room shut behind him – how could he not? In barely a few hours, he had realized he was going to have to choose between the power he had always wanted and a power that could turn him into something akin to a god, giving him immortality.

It would seem an easy choice to anyone who didn't know how hard he had worked to have Mystical Monkey Power, how strongly he believed he was destined to be the Monkey Master. The mere thought he could have to give up on his destiny and the title that was mean to him caused something in his mind to revolt, but…

Immortality, and a power as strong as Mystical Monkey Power. Who could ever stop you? Who could--?"

"Er…hey there, dude," an annoying, infuriatingly familiar voice, snapped him from his thoughts, causing him to growl – Stoppable. Exactly the last person he wanted to meet.

Monkey Fist snarled. "What do you want, Stoppable?" he asked, glaring daggers at him, the only thing preventing him from attacking being the knowledge he couldn't risk having the Han against him again.

Ron cringed just a little, but much to the monkey man's surprise he didn't turn to run away – he kept his eyes fixed on his, a determinated look on his face that Monkey Fist could only recall seeing a few times. "Okay, look, you don' t like me and I don't like you," Ron said, holding up his hands "and hey, I'd be happier to put my head in a guillotine than doing this, but...well, we kinda need to talk. Now."